77 



The Astronomical Journal. Vol. IV. No. 7. Cambridge, Jan. 5, 



1855. 4to. — From Dr. B. A. Gould, jr., Editor. 

 The Princelye Pleasures at the Courte at Kenelvvorth, in the yeare 



1575. London, 1576. Reprinted, 1821. 8wo.— From Prof. 



J. F. Frazer. 

 The Plough, the Loon and the Anvil. Vol. VII. No. 7. Jan. 1855. 



New York. 8vo. — From the Editor. 



Dr. B. H. Coates, pursuant to appointment at a former meet- 

 ing, read an obituary notice of Dr. Charles Caldwell, a de- 

 ceased member of the Society, of which the following is an 

 abstract. 



Charles Caldwell was born about 1772, in Caswell, then a part of 

 Orange county, North Carolina. 



There exists abundant and uncontradicted evidence that he very 

 soon gave proof of a superior understanding. He studied persever- 

 ingly, both at school and at home ; and made very rapid progress. 

 From eleven to fourteen he studied Latin and some Greek; retaining 

 the high estimation which had been conceded to him by his fellow scho- 

 lars. At fourteen, he states, that he was thought not likely to improve 

 further by a continuance at any school then extant in North Carolina; 

 and, before the end of his fifteenth year, he was called upon to dis- 

 charge the office of conducting academies for the instruction of others. 

 In this there exists copious evidence that he met with brilliant suc- 

 cess. In the meanwhile he made use of the assistance of a neigh- 

 bouring clergyman, to prosecute a short mathematical and physical 

 cou rse. 



His preference, in the choice of a permanent profession, was for 

 law or for the army ; and a commission was offered him. His father 

 was now deceased; but had always entertained a strong dislike to his 

 son's adoption of either of these two modes of life; and Mr. Cald- 

 well, in consequence of this, determined to apply himself to medicine. 

 In the spring of 1791, he entered the office of Dr. Harris, of Salis- 

 bury, North Carolina ; and, in the autumn of 1792, repaired to Phi- 

 ladelphia. 



Here he devoted himself, with great industry, to study, and to at- 

 tendance on lectures, and on the Pennsylvania Hospital. During the 

 great epidemic of yellow fever, in 1793, he had and used great oppor- 

 tunities for observation in that terrible disease; and formed or founded 

 some of the convictions for which he became afterwards conspicuous. 



VOL. VI. — M 



